Here we are, one week into a new year. If you will allow me to get a bit personal with you: How are your new year’s resolutions coming along?
I would guess that a week is pretty easy to keep a resolution. If I were to ask the same question in three weeks, you might give me a different answer.
Once we have “failed” to keep a new year’s resolution, many times we conclude, “Oh well, I guess I’ll try again next year.” For many, they believe that the new year is the only time to make a “fresh start.” So they think they have to wait until the next year to try again.
The Old Testament book of Lamentations is, by and large, a sad book (as the name would imply). The destruction of Jerusalem, described in Jeremiah 39:1-9, prompted the writing of the book. The book is a river of tears for those who fail to live the righteous life God calls them to live.
Yet tucked away in chapter 3 is an incredibly positive reminder. As the prophet is beginning to gain an understanding, he writes: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in Him’” (Lamentations 3:22-24).
Do you see the hope found in those verses? What was true for the Jews 2500+ years ago is true for Christian’s today.
God’s love for us does not move and never ends. His mercy for us never ends as well. In fact, His love and mercy are “new every morning.”
New EVERY morning. We do not have to wait for the calendar to change. Every day is a new day and a new opportunity to live the righteous life that God calls us to.
Paul will write that he is not perfect, but he keeps trying. He says he forgets the past and presses on to live the life God called him to (see Philippians 3:12-14).
Did you fail to keep a new year’s resolution? Do not worry about it. Just pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and realize that EVERY morning is a new chance to live for God!